Every July, individuals and corporations celebrate what’s become known as Disability Pride Month. The official recognition started in 1990 with the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Today, it’s an important time during which we can elevate not only individuals with disabilities, but also their impact on our way of life.
This recognition is especially important in the workplace. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 27 percent of the U.S. population lives with a disability — and many of those disabilities remain hidden under the surface. That means that Americans with disabilities are the largest minority in the nation.
People from all races, ages, sexual orientation and gender identity can live with a disability. Companies that engage them well will become destination employers.
Employee resource groups have an incredible opportunity to serve, connect and support disabled people at work. Disability ERGs can also help members combat the many challenges they face while also instilling what’s called “Disability Pride.” The National Council on Independent Living says disability pride is one way to confront ableism and the stigma that most people with disabilities encounter on a daily basis. Those who participate in these ERGs can also build key relationships with colleagues who can become allies.
Executive coach and licensed psychotherapist Jonathan Kaufman writes about this for Forbes in an article entitled Mindset Matters. “It is the ERG that offers C-level executives and senior leaders to both see the magnificence of Disability Pride on full display while recognizing the value it plays as a tool for business growth,” he says.
New York City-based healthtech firm Alma is one organization that’s seen the real importance of diversity ERGs. The company aims to provide easy access to mental health care through its robust online network of more than 8,000 therapists in all U.S. states.
We recently met up with Bex Portela, who co-leads the Alma Disability Association, to discover what she’s learned about creating safe spaces and how these ERGs can change a company from the inside out.
Tell us about your ERG. What is its mission? Whom does it support?
I co-lead the Alma Disability Association with Sarah Malis. Our mission statement is:
ADA seeks to empower members, promote equity and foster belonging through personal and professional development opportunities, as well as increase the visibility of our community through education and advocacy, in order to promote equity within the workplace and improve the lives of its members and Alma as a whole.
We assert that ableism and the social construct of disability shape society and create the concept of disability.
Membership within this group is offered freely to any person living with any condition that makes it more difficult for them to do certain activities or interact equitably with the world around them. We recognize power, privilege and oppression in the workplace, and understand how disability intersects with this in mind.
Describe the impact this ERG has on your organization.
Our ADA employee resource group is dedicated to empowering, enabling and advocating for its members. Within this safe space, group members can openly share their personal experiences, exchange valuable resources and seek guidance when needed.
The ADA ERG actively works toward destigmatizing disability at Alma. As experts in our own experiences, we collaborate closely with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to share information and provide recommendations to leaders of our people and culture team. Recently, during a companywide event, we leaned on this partnership to ensure proper accommodations were in place for our members.
The ADA ERG actively works toward destigmatizing disability at Alma.”
Continuous learning and professional development are highly valued within the ADA ERG. We believe in the power of education and seek to learn from others, recognizing that great ideas can come from anywhere. We collaborate with Alma's clinical community to create meaningful professional development and learning opportunities. Additionally, some of our group members have taken on leadership roles and contribute newsletters, relevant articles, a monthly book club and a wide range of valuable resources.
What events is Alma holding for Disability Pride Month?
Based on valuable feedback from our members, we have identified a significant opportunity to further strengthen our accessibility efforts. In order to create a platform for open and direct communication, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting an exclusive open forum, allowing members who live with a disability to provide real-time feedback to our product, community and CX teams.
This special event will be hosted by our esteemed Providers with Disabilities Identity Group, who are deeply committed to enhancing Alma's accessibility initiatives and better supporting the unique needs of our members. The focus of the forum will be centered around our ongoing efforts to foster inclusivity within our products and services.
During the event, our Product team leaders will have the opportunity to share their approach to product inclusivity and accessibility, providing insights into our current strategies and future plans. Most importantly, we aim to foster an open and collaborative discussion.
By coming together and engaging in this dialogue, we can collectively work towards making our platform more accessible for all users.
